Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clement Thistleton Halpin was born on 16th May, 1918 in Burringbar, NSW, to Cyril Halpin and Ida Frances Amelia (nee Mills). He attended St Finbarrs Convent School, Byron Bay and also St Johns College, Woodlawn, NSW. He was a keen surf lifesaver and represented the Byron Bay Club at a championship carnival in Bondi in March 1940.

In June 1941 an RAAF Recruiting Train visited Byron Bay and Clem was one of the young men placed on the air crew reserve list. He was called up in November 1941 and embarked in March 1942 for the United Kingdom.

In September 1944 he was reported as missing, believed killed in air operations and in December 1944 his parents received official advice from the Department of Air that Clem had died on 21 August 1944. Information regarding his death was that he had been buried by local civilians near the village of Rodrito, close to the town of Boncosambaccio, in Italy. His parents also received a letter from the Catholic priest at Rodrito which stated that their son was buried with all the rites of the Church after his body had been carried to and from the church by civilians.

He now lies in the Ancona War Cemetery, Grave ref.- Plot 111, Row J, Grave 11.

Clement Thistleton HALPIN was born on 16th May, 1918 in Burringbar, NSW

His parents were Cyril HALPIN and Ida Frances Amelia MILLS

He enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on 9th November, 1941 & embarked on 6th March,1942 for the UK

He died on 21st August, 1944 in an air operation over Italy and is buried in Ancona War Cemetery, Grave ref.- Plot 111 Row J  Grave 11 -he is also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial.

He was a Warrant Officer with the 3rd Squadron (CMF) at the time of his death and was flying a Kittyhawk IV FX 760 - place Pesaro, Italy